The Children's Haven 2025 Impact Report

The Children’s Haven promotes the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse and neglect

im 2025 pact

Children are the world’s most valuable resource and the best hope for the future. John F. Kennedy

A message from our Executive Director

Dear Friends,

I want to thank you for being part of our family at The Children’s Haven. Because of supporters like you, more than 700 children received care, connection, and hope in 2025. This year marked the 10th anniversary of The Children’s Haven and the year we served more children than ever before. Your generosity ensures that children experiencing foster care—and families at risk—feel supported and loved.

While we were blessed by this community to have the resources needed to support 700 children and their families, this number indicates a growing need that we take to heart. At the state level, prevention funding was cut by about 40% across the board. One of our programs was directly affected. As you always do, you rallied behind us this year to make sure kids and families are supported, safe, and loved. Thank you.

The need remains urgent. By the end of 2025, over 3,500 reports of abuse and neglect were made in Cherokee County. Your support allows us to meet families at critical moments and provides the compassionate, evidence-based care they need.

Positive Childhood Alliance Cherokee received 140 referrals for services for families needing parent coaching and support. The small, but mighty team provided 812 in-home visits to 73 parents and 122 children. Our team meets families weekly for six months—one of the few programs in Georgia offering this level of support. The results are extraordinary: 100% of parents improved parenting skills, and 99% of families avoided foster care involvement.

Our Wellstar Family Visitation Center held more than 1,100 supervised visits, offering parent coaching, life-skills support, and opportunities for meaningful connection. We prioritized family time and helped maintain and strengthen bonds while families are separated due to foster care involvement.

Chin Up Mentoring connected 49 teens with 37 trained mentors through life-skills classes in cooking, mindfulness, first aid, and financial management. Chin Up Mentoring ensures that middle and high school students have someone in their corner cheering them on. Even after their required participation ended, 20% of teens chose to continue, underscoring the meaningful relationships they’ve built.

On any given day in 2025, approximately 350 children in Cherokee County experienced foster care. Our 160+ CASA volunteers advocated for 545 children last year. With your support, we expanded our CASA team and trained 37 new volunteers, helping ensure no child navigates the foster care system alone. These volunteers cumulatively drove 63,480 miles to show up for these kids and support their cases.

We are committed to strong governance and financial stewardship. The Children’s Haven earned top ratings from GuideStar/Candid, Charity Navigator, and Great Nonprofits, and once again achieved Accredited Charity status from the Better Business Bureau—an honor shared by only a handful of nonprofits in Georgia.

Thank you for believing in our mission to promote the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse and neglect. As we look ahead to a new year, we carry hope—hope for safety, stability, and a brighter future for every child.

With gratitude,

Marcie

Smith

Executive Director

The Children’s Haven Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Hayden Holcomb, Board Chair Founder & Lead Advisor

Holcomb Financial

Janet Read, Past Board Chair Board Chair

Cherokee County School District

Chris Luly, Vice Chair

Capital Improvement Plan Administrator City of Woodstock

Kristi Estes, Treasurer

Co-Owner, Occupational Therapist In Harmony Pediatric Therapy

Shellie Hollingsworth, Secretary CEO/Realtor Hollingsworth and Company

Marcie Smith, Ex-Officio Executive Director The Children’s Haven

BOARD MEMBERS

Christine Beam Executive Director of Health Parks Wellstar Health System

Kim Bishop Director of Development Cherokee Youth Foundation

Major Olen Boughner Commander - Jail Operations and Court Services

Cherokee Sheriff’s Office

Dana Cox Mallett Development Manager Penn Hodge Properties

Lori Davis Sr. Vice President Community Bank of Pickens County

DD Lee President Perfect Stay Rentals, LLC

BOARD OF ADVISORS

Buster Cushing Chief of Police

Cherokee County School District

Judge Jennifer Davis

Superior Court Judge

Cherokee County Superior Court

Brooke Ford Director

Cherokee County Division of Family and Children Services

Deidre Hollands, Lifetime Ameritus

Francisco Lozano Business Analyst Arylessence

Trey Ragsdale Public Affairs

Kaiser Permanente

Steve Page CEO ProntoTrak

Andrew Smith Chief Associate Judge Magistrate Court of Cherokee County

Dr. Debra Murdock Chief Operations Director

Cherokee County School District

Dr. Gary Sullenger Retired

College Administration

Leadership

The Children’s Haven Team

Shaunte Barao Family Support Specialist

Wellstar Family Visitation Center

Lisa Carr Operations Manager

Julie Carter Advocacy Director CASA of Cherokee County

Christine Clark Advocacy Coordinator CASA of Cherokee County

Kathy Crites Family Support Specialist

Wellstar Family Visitation Center

Pam Culver Family Support Specialist

Wellstar Family Visitation Center

Jenzhy Torres Curiel Family Care Coordinator

Positive Childhood Alliance Cherokee

Abby Erie

Family Support Specialist

Wellstar Family Visitation Center

Gretchen Hornsby Graphic Designer

Brittany Letatau

Advocacy Coordinator CASA of Cherokee County

June Long Program Coordinator Chin Up Mentoring

Megan McDonald

Advocacy Coordinator CASA of Cherokee County

Katie McRae Facilitator Chin Up Mentoring

Michelle Meek Director of Community Engagement

Lindsay Pena Director of Parenting and Visitation Programs

Positive Childhood Alliance Cherokee & Wellstar Family Visitation Center

Mandy Quigley

Administrative Coordinator CASA of Cherokee County

Brooke Schmidt

Advocacy Coordinator CASA of Cherokee County

Penny Sibley

Family Support Specialist

Wellstar Family Visitation Center

Marcie Smith

Executive Director

Lea Stokes

Family Care Coordinator

Positive Childhood Alliance Cherokee

Amanda Sutter Program Assistant Chin Up Mentoring

Maggie Walters Advocacy Coordinator CASA of Cherokee County

Karen Woolf Family Support Specialist Wellstar Family Visitation Center

The Children’s Haven

Growing to Greater Impact

1993

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Cherokee was established.

2021

Chin Up Mentoring was founded.

2015

The organization was renamed, The Children’s Haven, with CASA as its flagship program.

2021

Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Cherokee was established.

2015

The Wellstar Family Visitation Center was established.

2018

The Caregivers’ Closet opened at The Children’s Haven.

2021

Playground Expansion & Ribbon Cutting at The Children’s Haven

2024

New CASA Building Renovation & the creation of a second Wellstar Family Visitation space

2025

Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Cherokee rebranded to Positive Childhood Alliance Cherokee (PCA).

2025

The Children’s Haven Celebrated 10 years.

Court Appointed Special Advocates

CASA

CASA of Cherokee County recruits, trains, and empowers dedicated community volunteers to advocate for children and teens who have experienced abuse and neglect. Our Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) champion each child’s best interests, working to ensure they have safe, permanent homes and the opportunity to thrive.

For more than 32 years, CASA of Cherokee County has been a steadfast advocate for children in the local community. In recognition of its impact, the program was honored by Georgia CASA with the 2025 Established Affiliate of the Year Award of Excellence, celebrating its outstanding service to children experiencing foster care.

2025 CASA graduates sworn in at the courthouse by Judge Rick Jones and Judge Amanda Speights.

CASA of Cherokee County receives Georgia CASA’s 2025 Established Affiliate of the Year Award of Excellence.

Welcome new CASA Volunteers

VOLUNTEER HOURS

6,201

MILES DRIVEN BY CASA VOLUNTEERS TO ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE

63,480

Thank You to Our 2025 CASA Volunteers

Ginny Arcangelo

Charles Arnold

Cynthia Arnold

Molly Ball

Sue Barfield

Jane Berger

Kelly Black

Heather Blevins

Addie Bowen

James Bradshaw

Claire Brannon

Katy Brown

Mitzi Brown

James Brownlowe

Heather Burmesch

Stacy Butler

Karina Cameron

Gene Carraway

Christina Caruso

Diane Castle

Ann Cave

William Cecil

Charles Chambers

Beth Choppa

Michelle Clark

Debra Cohen

Annelise Collins

Afton Conner

Valerie Corpora

Jeff Costa

Kim Costa

Marilee Coughlin

Pam Culver

Amanda Cutts

Marc Dandrea

Samantha Davidson

Nancy Davis

Amber De Marche

Phyllis Deeb

Militza DeShields

Cristin DiCicco

Lorraine Downs

Nicholas Downs

Linda Etheridge

Tony Ewers

Greer Ezrine

Scott Fabricius

Debra Farist

Eric Foley

Parisa Foley

Marleigh Galt

Angela Gentry

Miriam Gibson

Katherine Gilbert

Karen Gosdin

Jessica Gravley

Lily Greenway

Sean Grizzle

Misty Groves

Lori Haigwood

Lisa Happe

Marie Hartman

Linda Hartsfield-Briscoe

Catherine Head

Patricia Henderson

Shawn Heth

Melora Hiler

Catherine Hill

Steve Hillis

Terra Hitzing

Sandy Hogan

Dan Homiller

Sandra Hordos

Charles Howell

Mary (Katie) Huff

April Ifkovits

Lynn Johnson

Jonathan Jones

Robert Jones

Sharon Jordan

Cheryl Karr

Dawn Kasha

Linda Katz

Angela Kelly

Susan Kimmel

Kelli Jo Lane

Margaret LaPorta

Janice Latoza

Kimberly LePage

Morgan Lewis

Anna Logsdon

June Long

Tonya Lovelace

Loretta M’Latamou

Jill MacGregor

Suzanne Mahoney

Deirdre Manke

June Mann

Sandy Martin

Madison Mathews

Kathleen McPherson

Janet Merkel

Rebecca Miller

Ann Moore

Beth Moore

Susan Moya

Paul Mullins

Cindy Murrill

Michelle Nevis

Andrea Newberry

Maggie Orozco

Whitney Parks

Phuong Pham

Sherrie Phillips

Primrose Picart

Michele Prance

Jennifer Puckett

Jeffrey Rasberry Jr.

Elizabeth Ray

James Reddy

Carol Redman Macie

Christy Redovian

Beverly Reece Churchwell

Barbara Richard

Erin Richardson

Kathleen Rodriguez

Leslie Roper

David Saltz

Rachael Sanford

Susan Schipske

TyAnne Schmidt

Florence Semenuk

Christine Semones

Lori Shackleford

Elizabeth Sheeley

Heather Shelton

Wendy Shyer

Penny Sibley

Sonya Simmons

Casey Simpson

Melanie Skinner

Debra Smith

Emily Smith

Linda Smith

Michele Smith

Tami Smith

Robin Snider

Rhonda Speck

Lauren Stallings

Lorraine Stallings

Jammie Stamey

Michelle Stann

Barbara Stell

Elizabeth Strickland

Melissa Tarrant

Patricia Taylor

Lorraine Thompson

Karen Toholsky

Nina Torrence

Freddie Tucker

Sherry Tucker

Jenni Vereen

Michelle Von Trott

Wendy Wagner

Ellen Ward

Randy Watson

Sara Whitaker

Sherry Wiedman

Jeff Wilbur

Christina Williams

Gordon Williams

Stefanie Williams

Julie Wood

Karen Woolf

Polly Yaguchi

Mary Zamorski

Thank You

Our CASA volunteers advocated for the best interests of 545 Cherokee County kids who experienced foster care in 2025.

Family Visitation

Center

The Children’s Haven staff wear orange in May for Supervised Visitation Awareness Month.

The Wellstar Family Visitation Center provides a safe, comfortable, home-like environment where children and teens in foster care can maintain meaningful connections with their parents, siblings, and extended family. Within this supportive setting, families are able to share important milestones—such as birthdays, first steps, and learning to ride a bike—together.

Parents receive guidance through Nurturing Parenting, along with ongoing encouragement and support. In partnership with the Cherokee County Juvenile Court and Family Treatment Court, the center offers supervised visitation for up to two families at a time, ensuring individualized attention within two separate visitation spaces. Families also have access to a thoughtfully designed playground that promotes positive interaction and connection.

Bringing Families Safely Together

By the Numbers

FAMILY VISITS

1,100

CHILDREN SERVED

146

VISITS FOR FAMILIES IN THE NEW FAMILY TREATMENT COURT PROGRAM

100+

HOURS OF PARENT COACHING

650+

HOURS OF REFERRALS AND RESOURCE CONNECTION

382

Positive Childhood Alliance Cherokee

CHEROKEE

Positive Childhood Alliance (PCA) Cherokee is dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect by increasing public awareness and expanding access to effective programs and practices. Through community education, training, and resource connection, PCA Cherokee empowers families to remain safely together and reduces unnecessary involvement in foster care. The program offers in-home parenting support in both English and Spanish, including weekly visits that provide parent education, life skills training, case management, and referrals. PCA Cherokee also facilitates group parenting classes, with a focus on supporting families raising teenagers.

Formerly known as Prevent Child Abuse Cherokee, the organization’s rebrand to Positive Childhood Alliance Cherokee reflects an enhanced, strengths-based approach centered on hope, collaboration, and positive outcomes. While the name has evolved, the mission remains the same: ensuring all children grow up in safe, nurturing environments.

TOTAL PARENTS SERVED 73

SPANISH-SPEAKING FAMILIES SERVED 23

CHILDREN SERVED

HOURS OF THERAPY PROVIDED

ONE IMPROVEMENT DEMONSTRATED FROM PRE-TEST TO POST-TEST 100%

PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS CONDUCTED

The Children’s Haven team and community partners wearing blue for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April

FOSTER FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

PCA Georgia Day at the Georgia State Capitol By

ONE FAMILY TREATMENT COURT GRADUATES 2 PARENTS IN-HOME VISITATIONS 812 HOURS OF LIFE SKILL COACHING

NUMBER OF REFERRALS RECEIVED 140

The Children’s Haven

Chin Up Mentoring

® Chin Up Mentoring is a relationship-centered program designed to create meaningful, life-changing connections through life skills education and intentional engagement. Originally established as a site-based initiative, the program brings mentors and mentees together monthly to share a meal and participate in educational and empowering activities led by community professionals.

The program has since expanded to include in-home visits, providing opportunities for deeper, more personalized connections beyond the group setting. Both site-based and in-home models prioritize trustbuilding, consistency, and support, enabling mentors to invest their time and talents into each mentee. These intentional relationships foster a sense of being heard, valued, and supported.

Through site-based group sessions, mentees also engage with community partners who offer exposure to diverse experiences and career pathways. Presentations have included topics such as safety, science, and technology, as well as career exploration panels featuring professionals from fields including public safety, cosmetology, military service, and cybersecurity.

Chin Up Mentoring

STUDENTS CHOOSING TO REMAIN IN THE PROGRAM THEIR COURT REQUIRED PARTICIPATION 20%

1/3 OF OUR MENTORS HAVE BEEN SERVING YOUTH FOR TWO YEARS OR MORE.

Corporate Partnerships

2025 Event Highlights Proclamations

1920’s Prom

Our annual signature fundraising event raised over $50,000. Congratulations to Prom King and Queen, Chris and Sarah Hobson.

Events

sCAREcrows for Kids

2025 Jeep Run

Community Partners

“Working with this group of caring, giving people has been more rewarding than ever expected. What The Children's Haven does in this community is unbelievable. The program is able to help so many children in foster care, facilitate the CASA program, mentor teens and families, and partner with DFCS to make the lives of these children and families the best it can be when a situation is thrown at them. I'm proud to be a part of the board and know this program will continue to do amazing things.”

Dedicated Board Member

“As a donor and the spouse of a highly involved board member, I have seen the work of The Children’s Haven up close. The organization operates with exceptional integrity, compassion, and accountability. The Children’s Haven goes beyond good intentions by delivering well designed programs that truly support children and families affected by abuse and neglect. From a donor perspective, there is strong confidence that resources are stewarded responsibly. From a board family perspective, the dedication of staff and volunteers is evident in every decision. I am proud to support The Children’s Haven and highly recommend it to anyone looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in Cherokee County.”

Valued Donor

“Being a CASA affords the opportunity to defend the vulnerable, to be a voice for ones who cannot speak for themselves, to be another link in the chain of those fighting for what is in the best interest of the child. I am able to build bonds and relationships with so many people that otherwise I never would have met.

Volunteering as a CASA allows me to be part of changing a child’s story. But it also changes my story; it changes me!”

Dedicated CASA Volunteer

“Every has always commitment have experienced, neglect filled with to our community Loyal Community

“When CASA voluntee found my my calling.”

Dedicated Volunteer

“This outstanding offers a safe parents to appointed educational help heal vulnerable

Dedicated

The Children’s Haven What Our Community is Saying Community

time I’ve engaged with The Children’s Haven, the focus always been on the children and their well-being. Their commitment to the health and happiness of children who experienced, or are at risk of experiencing abuse and/or neglect is evident in everything they do. This organization is with people who truly care, and the service they provide community is nothing short of incredible.”

Community Volunteer

I became a volunteer, I my passion and calling.”

Dedicated CASA olunteer

outstanding nonprofit safe place for to visit kids, court appointed advocates and educational programs to and empower vulnerable youth.”

Dedicated Chin Up Mentor

“As a pastor in our community it has been amazing to work with The Children's Haven. Not only are they doing really important work by caring for the orphans of our community, they are professional and joyful in all they do! I and our church have partnered with them on all levels and it has been wonderful to work with them in caring for so many kids, youth and families that are going through really difficult times. I highly recommend you check out The Children's Haven and find a way to get involved by sharing your time and your resources. They make our community better!”

Valued Community Partner

Saying Community

“I have seen how special The Children’s Haven is, how well they serve those in foster care, and how the staff help meet other needs in our community! W ith reunification always the goal, they provide a safe, comfortable, and joyful space for family visitation for both the child and the parent. The board and staff work tirelessly to fundraise and host events that are always top-notch, while making sure everyone has the utmost awareness of foster care in Cherokee County. I am so grateful for everything The Children’s Haven does as it goes way beyond just the couple of things I have mentioned!”

Valued Community Partner

“Having advocated for 43 children so far… “each one has left footprints on my heart.”

Dedicated CASA Volunteer

The Children’s Haven Mission, Vision & Purpose

OUR MISSION

The mission of The Children’s Haven is to promote the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse and neglect. We are committed to building successful children through programs that increase their safety and improve their educational, social and emotional functioning.

OUR VISION

We envision a community where every child impacted by abuse has the opportunities and supports they need to fully realize their potential, pursue their dreams and become productive members of our community.

OUR PURPOSE

We believe that every child should have the opportunity to thrive in a safe and permanent family. Our Challenge: to find the volunteers, resources, commitment & passion that will get us there.

The Children’s Haven 10th Anniversary

The Children’s Haven celebrated our 10 year anniversary in 2025. Krause Family Ford joined in the celebration, supporting our organization, selecting us as a Drive 4 Your Community partner. Our community, volunteers, board and partners joined us to celebrate our anniversary, test drive a Ford, take a tour of our facility and enjoy delicious BBQ generously prepared and donated by Williamson Bros. BBQ.

Here’s to the next decade of Building Happy, Healthy Children!

The Children’s Haven Recognitions & Financials

The Children’s Haven Invest in Our Mission

VOLUNTEER

We have many meaningful ways to connect and get involved with our mission. Scan the QR code to find out more.

ORGANIZE A FUNDRAISER

Make your birthday extra special this year! Rally your friends, family and networks to support our mission alongside of you.

MAKE A GIFT TODAY

Donate online: CherokeeChildrensHaven.org

Give by check: 1083 Marietta Hwy., Canton, GA 30114

CONNECT WITH US

The Children’s Haven thechildrenshaven

Sign up for our newsletter: CherokeeChildrensHaven.org

PLANNED GIVING

By including The Children’s Haven in your estate plans, you’ll be helping us continue our mission for years to come. We would be honored to have a conversation about making a legacy gift. Please contact our Executive Director, Marcie Smith, at marcie@cherokeechildrenshaven.org. Thank you for considering this extraordinary way to make a lasting difference.

The Children’s Haven Year in Review

The Children’s Haven served more than 700 children.

Our Prevent Child Abuse Cherokee program was renamed Positive Childhood Alliance Cherokee and provided 812 in-home visits.

99% of our PCA program participants successfully avoided foster care involvement.

73 parents and 122 children were served through our PCA program.

Our Wellstar Family Visitation Center held more than 1,100 supervised family visits.

There were over 100 visits for families in the new Family Treatment Court Program.

37 mentors supported 49 teens through our Chin Up Mentoring program.

20% of Chin Up Mentoring participants opted to continue in the program even after completing their court mandated participation.

184 CASA Volunteers advocated for the best interest of 545 Cherokee County kids experiencing foster care.

Our CASA volunteers drove 63,480 miles to advocate for children in foster care.

37 new CASA volunteers were sworn in.

We honor the lives of two extraordinary individuals who gave their time, talents, and hearts in service of The Children’s Haven. Their dedication strengthened our mission and forever impacted the children and families we serve.

The Children’s Haven In Memory

State Representative Mandi Ballinger

We are deeply saddened by the loss of State Representative Mandi Ballinger, who served on The Children’s Haven Board of Advisors and Board of Directors for more than a decade. Throughout her years of service, Mandi was a tireless champion for our mission and an unwavering advocate for children and families.

Mandi was especially passionate about improving outcomes for children in foster care and supporting victims of violence. She played a critical role in advancing the statewide CASA network by advocating for funding, legislation, and resources to better serve Georgia’s children. In 2023, Mandi partnered with The Children’s Haven to present the first statewide proclamation recognizing May as Supervised Visitation Awareness Month in Georgia—an enduring testament to her leadership and commitment.

Her legacy of advocacy, compassion, and action will continue to inspire our work for years to come.

Gini Arcangelo, CASA Volunteer

Gini Arcangelo served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Cherokee County for five years, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to the children she served. During her time as a CASA, Gini advocated for 12 children, ensuring their voices were heard and their best interests remained at the center of every decision.

To know Gini was to know her caring heart, contagious spirit, and keen intelligence. The children and families she supported were profoundly fortunate to have her guidance, advocacy, and compassion. Our community is stronger and more compassionate because of her service.

The Children’s Haven is deeply grateful to have shared our mission with two remarkable individuals. We honor their memories and the lasting impact they made on Cherokee County families and beyond.